OBJECTIVE: To compare patient preference for either sharp incision with scissors or blunt manual cleavage of the fascia at cesarean delivery in a randomized controlled trial in which each woman was her own control.

STUDY DESIGN: Women undergoing primary cesarean delivery (n=34) were randomized to side distribution of sharp or blunt incision of the fascia (sharp right and blunt left or blunt right and sharp left) and followed three months postoperatively. The primary outcome was patient preference for the right or left side of the scar 3 months postoperatively and modeled by polytomous logistic regression. The secondary outcome was difference in pain between the two sides measured on a 0.0-10.0 numerical rating scale at 1, 3, and 7 days and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Pain scores were analyzed with a Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULTS: 28 cases were analyzed and no significant difference was found in preference after three months. Nine women preferred the sharp (32%, 95% CI 16-52%) and 7 the blunt side (25%, 95% CI 11-45%) (P=0.804). Pain scores did not differ significantly between the two sides at any time postoperatively either at rest or during mobilization.

CONCLUSION: No significant difference was found in patient preference with regard to sharp or blunt incision of the fascia, nor was there a significant difference in postoperative pain scores.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: www.clinicaltrials.org;NCT01297725.